Today, we are excited to announce that the Public Test Server (PTS) will be making its return on May 21! Before the rendering/loading optimization mentioned in our last dev update is implemented on live servers May 28th, you will be able to test the optimized build on the PTS. The May 21 PTS update also includes the new MP5K, weapon balancing, Erangel loot balances, bug fixes, and more. The PTS will be available for one week, starting from May 20 7PM PDT / May 21 4AM CEST, and will end on May 28 with the patch going onto the live servers (time to be announced).

Dive into the patch notes below!

What is the PTS (Public Test Server)?
The PTS (Public Test Server) is a separate PUBG server that is free for anyone who already owns a copy of PUBG. The purpose of the test server is not just to provide a preview of upcoming features, but to find the issues and bugs we need to solve as soon as possible. To take part in the test, all you have to do is own a copy of PUBG.

All player data, statistics, etc from the test server will not carry over to your live server account.

For PS4:
You can find the “PUBG – Public Test Server” in the ‘Purchased’ section of your Library.

New Weapon: MP5K

The MP5K is a brand new sub-machine gun chambered for 9mm ammunition. MP5K is exclusive to Vikendi and replaces the Vector on that map.

While the firing mechanics of the MP5K are similar to those of the Vector, it boasts a higher per bullet damage, but with a lower overall firing rate and DPS. This SMG also has a higher magazine capacity than the Vector, starting at 30 rounds by default with 40 rounds in an extended magazine.

Key characteristics of the MP5K:

High rate of fire at 900 RPM with reasonably easy to control recoil

Accommodates all attachment slots to allow for a tactical stock, different types of magazines, muzzle attachments, grips, the laser sight and, of course, scopes

Base damage value of 33

Exclusive to Vikendi

Survivor Pass 3: Wild Card (NOT AVAILABLE ON THE PTS)
Survivor Pass 3: Wild Card is not available on the PTS, but will be available when Update #4 hits live servers on May 28.

Survival Title System Season 2 (NOT AVAILABLE ON THE PTS)
Survival Title System Season 2 is not available on the PTS, but will begin when Update #4 hits live servers on May 28.

Gameplay

Weapon Balance

M16A4

When firing using burst mode, the initial recoil has been decreased

Increased the range before damage fall-off occurs

This will help increase M16A4 efficiency when fighting over long distances

Canted Sights and the Tactical Stock can now be attached to the M16A4

The Tactical Stock will decrease recoil recovery time, animation kick and weapon sway, while also improving ADS speed and hipfire accuracy

Vector

Vector has been rechambered to use 9mm ammo

Magazine capacity has been increased to 19 bullets by default and 33 with an extended mag (was 13/25)

Damage decreased from 34 to 31 due to above changes

Muzzle velocity changed to 380m/s (previously 300m/s)

UMP45

The UMP9 has been rechambered to use 45ACP ammo and is now called the UMP45.

Magazine capacity has been adjusted to 25 bullets by default and 35 with an extended mag (was 30/40)

Gunshot sounds have been changed to be more realistic

Muzzle velocity changed to 300m/s (previously 400m/s)

MK47 Mutant

Tactical Stock can now be attached to the MK47 Mutant

The Tactical Stock will decrease recoil recovery time, animation kick and weapon sway, while also improving ADS speed and hipfire accuracy

Attachments Balance Modification

SMG and Pistol attachments have been combined and can now be used on both weapon types

Bullets Loops for Shotguns, Win94 and Kar98k have been combined into one item called Ammo Loops

Holo Sights can now attach to pistols

When equipped to Pistols, the size of the sight will be reduced to fit more appropriately

Hit Area Damage Multiplier Changes

Increased SR body shot damage from 110% of base damage to 150%

Increased SMG limb shot damage from 120% of base damage to 125%

Gameplay Balance

Decreased the overall aim punch (aim sway) applied when being shot by an enemy

First aid kits will no-longer heal instantly after use timer and will instead restore health over a 2 second period

Vehicles now block players from receiving grenade damage with a similar mechanism used for other objects. Although, depending on grenade position and trajectory, damage can still be dealt to players hiding behind vehicles.

Item Spawn Balance Modification

Erangel Loot Changes

The overall item spawn rates on Erangel have been increased. Additionally, we’ve increased the spawn rate of some major weapon classes.

Increased the spawn rate of ARs (12%), DMRs (16%) and SMGs (14%)

SRs and Handguns received a slight spawn rate increase

Due to item changes this patch, including merging some attachments together, there is naturally a gap left in spawns which needs to be filled with other items. Because of this, we have increased the spawn rate of other items evenly. This will also result in a small increase in spawns of high priority items such as ARs, meds etc.

This also means the overall loot for other maps has also increased slightly, although no changes have been made to individual item spawn ratios on other maps.

Crosshair UI Improvement for Canted Sight and Scopes

Added a new crosshair when using the Canted Sight to help players easily identify which scope they have equipped

When using your main scope, you will see the standard crosshair, with an X shaped crosshair when using the Canted Sight

Movement Rustling Sound

Weapons

Separate rustle sounds now play when equipping weapons in your hands vs holstering on your back

Identical rustling sound will be played regardless of weapon type

Sidearms, melee weapons and throwables do not make rustling sounds

Sound level balance

Rustling sounds of backpacks, weapons are all identical in both volume and audible distance

Even though the audible range of clothes is same as bags/weapons etc, it may sound like they’re heard at a different range due to the volume being lower.

Audible distance and volume of the rustling sound changes dynamically based on the characters movement speed

The faster you move, the louder the noise, which can then be heard from further away

The audible range and the volume of the rustling sound is lower than footsteps

UI/UX

In-game lobby background and BGM has been changed

System menu UI which can be accessed by pressing the Start button has been redesigned

Emotes customization UI has been redesigned (NOT AVAILABLE ON THE PTS)

You can customize your emotes in the EMOTES tab within the CUSTOMIZATION menu.

The maximum number of emote you can use in-game has been changed to 8 from 12

Starting at 12 o’clock position, 4 of the emotes positioned counter-clockwise you previously equipped will be unequipped.

Performance

Optimized level streaming and improved the loading speed of proximate buildings by 30~40%.

Material data structure has been optimized.

Streaming priority has been optimized based on the prediction of the player’s movement direction.

Level LOD data has been optimized.

Bug Fixes

Fixed an issue where footsteps on a steel surface made sound of incorrect material in Sanhok

Fixed an issue where characters got stuck on the ceiling when vaulting on certain objects in Sanhok

Fixed an issue where vines over the wires in Camp Bravo blocked bullets in Sanhok

Fixed an issue where players were able to see past walls by abusing the emote mechanism

Fixed an issue where players were able to open or close doors, despite a vehicle blocking it

Fixed an issue where players were briefly able to see through a thin wall when leaning against it

Fixed an issue where when a player was damaged by two Molotov Cocktails, the player who threw the first will be credited with the kill.

Fixed an issue where the smoke coming from a grenade explosion outlines players inside the smoke grenade

Fixed an issue where players are unable to lean while standing on a crossbow

Fixed an issue where players with poor network connectivity take no damage when exiting moving vehicles

Fixed an issue where characters hands move abnormally when switching firing mode on the Bizon

Fixed an issue where the Inventory UI displays incorrectly when equipping certain attachments on the QBZ

Fixed an issue where a specific object prevents Care Packages from landing on the ground

Fixed an issue where players are unable to be revived after the game client is forcibly closed or has crashed

Fixed an issue where certain object appear in different locations to other players